Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) Smiles (Photo : Reuters/Tim Chong/Files)
Thousands of people have gathered at the streets of Singapore despite the heavy rain for the final farewell to its founding father Lee Kuan Yew.
According to the officials, more than 450,000 people had paid their last respects to the 91-year-old, who served as a prime minister for 31 years, before the end of his public wake on Saturday night.
ABC News reports that his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that it has been a deeply moving experience especially for their family. He also posted on Facebook thanking the public for honoring their former leader, who died on Monday after being diagnosed with pneumonia thus spending seven weeks in the hospital.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott made an appearance at the funeral, together with the leaders of Japan, India, South Korea, Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The American delegation was led by the former US president Bill Clinton, alongside with former secretary of state Henry Kissinger-who is also a close friend of Lee.
William Hague, the leader of the House of Commons represented Britain, which is Singapore's former colonial ruler.
Families that joined the gathering turned up early in order to choose spots along the 15-kilometer procession route from the parliament to the National University of Singapore, where the state funeral was held. In reference to CNN, the procession will be followed by a private cremation.
Joel Lim, a teacher, said: "We are here today as a family to witness this historic moment. As Singaporeans, we may have our differences, but when it comes to a crunch we stand together. That is what Singapore is about and that is Mr. Lee's legacy."
Lee became the first prime minister of Singapore in 1959, after the island gained its self-rule from the colonial ruler Britain.
In 1965, Singapore became a republic following a brief and stormy union with Malaysia.
Lee stepped down from his post in 1990 in favor of his deputy Goh Chok Tong, who in turn, was succeeded by Lee's son.
Sirens sounded during the state funeral to signal the nation to observe a minute of silence for their former leader.
